Goldman Sachs Named 'Stabilization Agent' for Alibaba Stock Offering

Stabilization Agent Plays Key Role in Early Trading

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. landed a coveted role in Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s upcoming initial public offering as the bank in charge of overseeing the deal's early share trading, people familiar with the matter said.

The role, known as "stabilization agent," was sought by banks currently working on Alibaba's IPO because of the prestige and potential additional fees and trading commissions that could be generated from...